Vbulletin over Invision Power Board?

[Unmutual]

Actually they are rushing into 2.1 at the moment. Hey and guess what, complete change to the skinning templates YET AGAIN!!!!!!!

And probably yet another new pricing structure to go along with it too!

[ManagerJosh]

I wonder if the new template system is going to resemble vB3s....hmm

[SoCalled]

I ran an IPB for our board for a year-and-a-half before converting to VB (actually, I woulda done it sooner but I was waiting on a reasonably stable VB3 version first).

There are a few things IPB does that I kinda miss though (like being able to reply to and move a thread at the same time, and being able to file sent PMs). Even so, no comparison. I do have to admit their 2.0 version seems to be coming along however.

Actually they are rushing into 2.1 at the moment. Hey and guess what, complete change to the skinning templates YET AGAIN!!!!!!! They may have just lost us for good on that decision.

[DanFan]

Trust me, vBulletin is the way to go. I have used IPB for some time now and am absolutely DYING to be able to purchase vBulletin. The admin demo shows off so much power. You may not need all the features to begin with, but as you start to need more forum maintenance and statistics, as well as a cleaner and more professional look, you will surely want vBulletin.

Not only that, but the staff and members here are REALLY helpful and the feeling I get with IPB is that all they want is people's money.

vBulletin is decked out with all the features and is being updated with new ones

I really like the community, software and resources for vBulletin, be glad that you are able to get it. If I were you i'd already have it :P

[Blootix.com]

I think the license code problem arise in /clientscript/ files. But even then, the license number is utterly useless IMHO. Yes, someone can see your license number, so what? Its not like the license number will allow the person to have access to your admin cp, nor does that mean the person can get into your member area (that's what the 50 digits usernamepassword combo is for). The absolute worst thing they can do is put up a copy of pirated vbulletin after manually recreating all the call home features and plugin your license info to tick off the versions server... and even then, Jelsoft will contact THEM, not you, the license holder, because their server is housing the illegal copy...

While I do agree, there are some cosmetics issues with both forums and feature issues with both forums, I do honestly believe that if you want to properly setfoot in the community, you will need vBulletin. Its a simple fact I've faced too many times... I've attempted to start a community eariler without vB, prospecting advertisers saw us using IPB, and decided to go with another community simply because IPB was not established to be a commercial forum. Of course, this was a few months ago, so things may be different now, but all in all, my view will not be changed simply because of that incident alone... until I can be proven otherwise that is.

Yeah I guess. The worst thing that could happen would be if somebody hacked into your email account and got that email with your license and password. Though I downloaded that email and deleted it from my server...
In that case, we would have our licenses reset...

[KimmiKat]

Some people did that on IPB's board, but the threads got tossed. Even in a neautral place like WHT, people will lean towards vB.

Go to the Invision boards and ask the same questions. I guarantee you'll get responses that are biased to their board.

[KimmiKat]

While we're speaking about vB and IPB and how they compare, I had someone ask me on another forum that he is currently using IPB, but wants to get a vB license. But here's the twist...he wanted both boards to work off one database so members could have a choice of what software they want to use.

Me and several other told him that was impossible or almost impossible. I think you would have to severly modify the code of both forums for them to talk to each other, IF that could be done. Many told him to simply dump IPB and go with vB.

[ManagerJosh]

I've gone through all the clientscript files with a fine tooth comb, and there is no reference to ANY license number anywhere.

[Andy Huang]

I think the license code problem arise in /clientscript/ files. But even then, the license number is utterly useless IMHO. Yes, someone can see your license number, so what? Its not like the license number will allow the person to have access to your admin cp, nor does that mean the person can get into your member area (that's what the 50 digits usernamepassword combo is for). The absolute worst thing they can do is put up a copy of pirated vbulletin after manually recreating all the call home features and plugin your license info to tick off the versions server... and even then, Jelsoft will contact THEM, not you, the license holder, because their server is housing the illegal copy...

While I do agree, there are some cosmetics issues with both forums and feature issues with both forums, I do honestly believe that if you want to properly setfoot in the community, you will need vBulletin. Its a simple fact I've faced too many times... I've attempted to start a community eariler without vB, prospecting advertisers saw us using IPB, and decided to go with another community simply because IPB was not established to be a commercial forum. Of course, this was a few months ago, so things may be different now, but all in all, my view will not be changed simply because of that incident alone... until I can be proven otherwise that is.

[ManagerJosh]

I'm not sure the "sudden frequent update" argument holds water. In my opinion, if a security bug is found, it need to be addressed as quickly as possible to avoid future problems for customers.

Just because a software developer didn't make a security release doesn't imply their software is more secure than someone who did make a security release.

It could be also implied that the other software developer doesn't care about security and didn't think it was important enough to bring to light or share with its customers, potentially leaving them exposed to a vulnerability that could destroy their forums/site.

Further more, AFAIK, there is no way for you to download a PHP file and see the contents of it. PHP files are server side files, meaning they are parsed on the server side. If an end-user downloaded them. all they would get is the final parsed version, void of all PHP programming.

[Blootix.com]

Our license numbers stolen? Well, more security wouldn't hurt. But I think when your boards are hacked and you think you got your license stolen, you can contact the vB staff and they'd reset it for you.

[poolking]

You do realise that the last reply before your's was over 6 months ago? vbulletin is one of the most secure boards around and just because they have meade a few updates in the last couple of months doesn't automatically mean that vbulletin is in-secure, if you do a search, jelsoft don't sit on security issues for months before they do anything, as soon as a security hole is discovered it is patched and a new version is released.

You cannot see the contents of a php file only if you download the files yourself from the members area.

They have had the licence number within their php files for years without a problem.

[whitetigergrowl]

I ran an IPB for our board for a year-and-a-half before converting to VB (actually, I woulda done it sooner but I was waiting on a reasonably stable VB3 version first).

There are a few things IPB does that I kinda miss though (like being able to reply to and move a thread at the same time, and being able to file sent PMs). Even so, no comparison. I do have to admit their 2.0 version seems to be coming along however.

I have a lifetime license for both boards. They both have their pluses and minuses. Of course I always do wonder why people come to a board like this and ask which one is better. 98% of the time you're gonna get biased responses. It's like going to an Xbox forum and asking if Xbox or PS2 is better. Sure you'll get a few that say they have both, and that they maybe play PS2 more, but overall the atmosphere will be biased. Go to the Invision boards and ask the same questions. I guarantee you'll get responses that are biased to their board.

However what the heck, I'll throw in my 2 cents on this since I normally never do on these types of subjects. I just recently converted one of my forums from Vbulletin 3 to IPB 2.0. I will be using my Vbulletin board on another site I will be working on soon. (Don't worry guys, I'll make sure my member info points to it when it gets up and running.) There is no doubt Vbulletin is flexible. However prior to me converting my board to IPB 2.0, I had some mods and members test out a copy of IPB 2.0 that I had installed and messed around with. I hate to say it, but while they felt both boards had their pluses and minuses, they felt that IPB 2.0 felt and looked better, as well as had more cool and useful features right out of the box without any hacking. I recently installed the blog, which required no work other than using an installer on my part and some of the typical admin cp work...but it integrated smoothly with all of the skins, and the members love it. No hacking required. And honestly between both boards, while I have seen some really cool VB3 boards, IPB 2.0 just looks cleaner and sharper. Now keep in mind my site has over 2,400 members.

This isn't a biased opinion. Remember, I have lifetime licenses for both boards. I enjoy both greatly. And I don't even wanna talk about how much money I've spent on both. But in all honesty, in the end what it comes down to is what your preferences are and what kind of user experience you want. I wouldn't had switched to IPB 2.0 if I hadn't felt it was a good product. Both boards are. It's just that my members like the multi-quote, as well as the more robust UserCp. I like the fact I can install something like their blog with no hacking on my part, and no template editing, yet have all the necessary links and such show up in the UserCp and the Admincp. LOL And if you can get the friendly URL feature to work on the blog, it's that much better.

I hate to say it, but you would be very suprised at how many people on my board like the new look, and how many people prefer 2.0 over VB3 once they got used to it. Those that don't seem to like it are also those that haven't spent much time with it or are just too used to VB3 and don't fully understand things. So when it comes to choosing a board, choose what suits your and your members needs. Right now me and my members prefer 2.0. However my other site will use VB3. But judging from what I'm seeing, many people (not all, but many) are basing their IPB opinions on either version 1.3 or 2.0 trial. 2.0.3. is whats currently available with 2.1 coming soon I believe. It's like comparing VB2 to VB3.

IMO, VB3 needs to re-write some of it's coding. Tighten it up a bit. These frequent 'updates' lately have gotten me a bit worried, as seems to be the case with many VB members after reading recent posts. It's great holes are being plugged...but at the same time, it makes me wonder just how 'un-sloppily written' and vulnerable the code is. I see so many pirated VB3 boards, I honestly think Jelsoft needs to re-do it's licensing system. It's just not safe having the license located in the php file. If your site gets hacked for any reason, and the php files and license stolen and used elsewhere...it could get very ugly. I prefer IPB's 'call home' feature. And if something happens where your site still gets hacked and you fear your license is found, IPB can reset it for you if you contact them through their ticket support system. Thus rendering the current license null and void. Maybe VB would do the same, but thats something that they haven't mentioned much of. When I found a site last fall that used a pirated version of VB3, I also (believe it or not) found their file section wide open. All I did was remove a few words from the url and boom, I downloaded the files and found that while there was no license #, it did show it was pirated. However, by chance had that been a legit board, I would have had his license #. Thats something to think about. (This this was his fault, not VB's btw.)

LOOONG story short, I'm very concerned about the actual security of the VB board...and all of these 'updates' recently confirm that for me. I stick by the fact I believe VB needs to tighten their coding as well as not have the license # in the php files. It's just not safe IMO.

I like both boards...and wll continue to use both...but at this point, IPB 2.0 is my preference for my main site. However I will obviously continue to use VB as well.

[Some Person123]

lol. no. thats just a reason. sorry if i sounded confusing!

[Shadow Duelist]

yep. But also i liked mod cp. but that i can do without. Vb just - looks sweet. ipb is... to... boring VB default skin acually looks good!

Your going to switch just because of the skin?